What is your most used piece of gear?

Bump.

I'm w/ Justin on this one- my windshirt, the most versatile piece of gear I own- summer through the dead of winter; day hikes, backpacking trips and trail running

probably a tie, my shoes Pearl Izumi N2's-I'm in them almost every day running and they are my go to shoes for hiking and backpacking

now that I think about it, my Dirty Girl gaiters accompany on all but winter trips

My GG Gorilla pack. I have great affection for that thing. I usually need to carry lots of water, even on day hikes, and it carries the weight so well. Very sturdy and has held up so well over a number of years (I tend to be abusive and there are lots of sharp rocks and thorns where I hike). I use it so often that it's always by the door when not in the car. Fantastic pack.

I live in the Mojave Desert so the REI Sahara polyester shirts get a lot of use. I do like them better than the similar Colombia shirts.

Next is my Camelbak Commander hunting pack that I load with 30 lbs. for training hikes several times a week. It's a modified pack to which I've added internal aluminum stays and an REI Ridgecrest padded hip belt.

Fjällräven Karl zip-off shorts

Durable, 100% mosquito proof, very comfortable. Wind resistant enough for cold, windy, nordic (Norway) mountain use, breathable enough for humid, warm weather in the valleys below.

4 season use.

Wearing them in my avatar which is 10 years old, i think…

I have no padding in my behind. Skin and bones. So I cut out small section out of an old Z-Lite pad for a seat cushion for my recent JMT hike. For 21 days I used it as a seat cushion around camp and during breaks on the trail (I stored it in an exterior stretch pocket on my pack for quick acess.) It also served as a bivy-side night stand for glasses, headlamp, etc. and a knee pad for when I crawled in and out of my tarp which reduced dirt and wear on my pants knees. Very good weight to use ratio.

Sunglasses. I use ’em cycling to work, hiking, etc. Can’t think of anything more valued (said the man with the pale blue eyes).

HJ
Adventures In Stoving
Hikin’ Jim’s Blog

1. Headlamp! At least twice or thrice a week.

2. Socks! Every day!

3. Foam Sit Pad! Working on the bike, relaxing on the porch, riding in the car, sitting on a train, etc. Always useful.

Patagonia silk weight boxers. Waaaaaaay too much use but they refuse to die. Even the ones with the post 2003 waist band last forever.

Should this be favourite piece of gear rather than most used? For me, it would be my Patagonia Houdini windjacket – love it!

Pack and trekking poles, nylon shorts, poly tee, windshirt, bandana, low top shoes, sunglasses, small digital camera and Nalgene canteen are used just about every trip. Of course I carry the classic essentials, latrine kit, and sit pad.

I spend more time in my La Sportiva Wildcats on the trail than wearing my backpack, under my tarp, or in my sleeping bag. I also wear them just about every day in town.